Rumors: Marlins Could Trade Jacob Turner, Yankees Should Pursue

Sep 8, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jacob Turner (33) throws the ball in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Though the Yankees have starting pitching depth, nobody can have too many arms, especially a team without many pitchers in their early 20’s who might someday be reliable starters. It’s been reported earlier today that the Miami Marlins are prepared to shop young right-hander Jacob Turner. For a team like the Yankees, you can never have enough starting pitching under the age of 30.

The Marlins, on the other hand, have a rotation full of young arms, only one of whom is above the age of 25 (that one being Tom Koehler, who is 27-years-old). There rotation would look like this without Turner:

1. Jose Fernandez

2. Nathan Eovaldi

3. Henderson Alverez

4. Tom Koehler

5. Brad Hand

Still pretty talented, right?

Fernandez is clearly the ace, having finished third in the National League Cy Young Award voting. The second starter, Nathan Eovaldi, had an up-and-down season in 2013, but according to Fangraphs.com, he has a fastball that averaged at just over 96.1 MPH. The stuff is there.

The same holds true for Henderson Alvarez, who will be the Marlins third starter.

Though neither Koehler and Handt has the stuff of the first three starters, they are both good enough to get batters out and are still young.

The Yankees have to plan for the days when C.C. Sabathia is less effective and for when Hiroki Kuroda retires. Though they have Masahiro Tanaka (25), Michael Pineda (25), and Ivan Nova (27) they don’t have much depth in the minor leagues or any Major Leaguers who project to be solid starting pitchers.  David Phelps and Vidal Nuno have started in the past, but Phelps has shown he is better out of the bullpen (4.39 ERA as a starter as opposed to 3.55 out of the bullpen) and Nuno may not have the stuff to be a reliable starter in Yankee Stadium over the long haul.

Jacob Turner is only 22-years-old and is a former top prospect. Though he might struggle a bit as he develops and adjusts to the American League East, the Yankees should at  least consider a deal for the righty.